Wakefield City Council gets details on proposed renovations

By P.J. GLISSON

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Wakefield - Architect John Larson, of Gwinn, told Wakefield City Council members Monday he hopes to have the municipal building's proposed fireproof storage room complete by June 30.

Council members voted unanimously to allow him to call for bids on construction of the room. The move will reduce the size of City Manager Richard Brackney's office.

Brackney also presented examples of windows suggested for the project. He said the new fiberglass windows will act as a prototype for continuing renovation within the building.

Council member Pat Mann recommended the door width to enter the storage room be increased from 3 to 4 feet, and Larson said he will try to accommodate the request.

At the same meeting, Dale White also told council members he intends to seek financing for the replacement of the floor in the municipal building's multipurpose room.

White, who chairs a local organization called 4 the Kids, assured the council that he wants only the council's written endorsement. "We're going to raise the money," he said.

In a written statement submitted to the council, White said, "Four years ago, the city of Wakefield purchased the former Father Daniel Hall from the Catholic Diocese."

The statement explains that the building's 40-foot by 70-foot multipurpose room, which was formerly a gymnasium, could be converted back to such use for use by community youth.

White, who also chairs the city's planning commission, estimates that the project could cost as much as $20,000.

At Monday's meeting, White said, "We've talked about this multipurpose room for the last couple years in the planning commission. The city doesn't have the money."

Hence, he said, referring to an online crowd-funding initiative, "We are looking at setting up a GoFundMe page. We are not going to be knocking on doors."

Acting in support of White was an accompanying letter from Mark Lane, athletic director for the Wakefield-Marenisco School District.

Referring to the district's much used gym, Lane said in his letter, dated Feb. 15, "As it stands now, elementary aged students get 2 hours of gym time per week."

Lane's letter concludes, "Our upcoming athletes and volunteer coaches are in dire need of more practice time to help with the growing and learning process of our younger student-athletes, so they can flourish and succeed when they reach the higher levels of competition."

White said students in second through sixth grade, specifically, would benefit from having the additional option of a municipal building gym.

Brackney added that the gym also then could be used for other community events, including private affairs such as weddings.

He also acknowledged that the city would be responsible for any schedules and rules in relation to use of the refurbished space.

"I think it's a great idea," said Mann, with agreement from council member Kay Wiita and mayor pro tem Amy Tarro. Tarro was acting in place of mayor John Granato, who is absent.

The council voted unanimously to have a written agreement drawn up to state that all funds raised will be used only for restoration of the municipal building floor.